Was the Mexican-American War inevitable? Today’s Aim: Was the Mexican-American War inevitable?

Would you decide to move your family to Texas? If You Were There... You are the father or mother of a large farm family in Missouri. There is not enough land for everyone, so you’re looking for another opportunity. One day, a Mexican government official comes to your town. He is looking for people to settle in TEXAS. The Mexican government is offering generous pieces of land to settlers like you. However, you may have to become a citizen of Mexico and FOLLOW MEXICAN LAWS. Would you decide to move your family to Texas? WHY or WHY NOT?

Territorial Expansion by Mid-19th Century Texas In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain The new Mexican government opted for a free-trade policy with USA Thousands of U.S. speculators moved to Texas

The Texas Revolution In the 1820s, Mexico encouraged U.S. immigration to Texas but problems emerged between “Anglos” & the new Mexican gov’t “Texans” never fully accepted Mexican rules In 1834, Santa Anna became dictator & was viewed as threat to Texans’ interests An armed rebellion broke out in 1835, led by Stephen F. Austin “Texans” ignored the Mexican ban on slavery “Texans” refused to convert to Catholicism ,, & Texans not allowed self-rule “Texans” refused to pay import duties “Texans” wanted self-rule like in the U.S.

The Republic of Texas (1836-1845) 1836 - Texans declared their independence from Mexico & wrote a national constitution But the war for independence still had to be fought

VIDEO While you watch: What happened at the Alamo? Take notes on your own… VIDEO

Remember the Alamo! DON’T COPY After the Texans lost badly at the Alamo, Houston led his army and surprised Santa Anna They screamed “REMEMBER THE ALAMO!” This started the Battle of San Jacinto – Texans captured Santa Anna and forced him to sign a TREATY giving Texas their independence

Annexing Texas DON’T COPY The United States REFUSED to annex (add) Texas to the Union Sam Houston, president of Texas, tried to sign a treaty of ANNEXATION with the United States He even tricked the U.S. to think he would become friends with BRITAIN if they didn’t listen to him…SO WHAT DOES HOUSTON DO?

The Mexican American War Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas US finally annexes (adds on) Texas, 1845 Mexico’s reaction? MAD! Hostilities continue to rage on Americans call for War – President Polk agrees, even offers to pay $30 for California and New Mexico territories and AVOID WAR! Which regions of the US do you think wanted war? Which didn’t? Congress declares war 1846 General Zachary Taylor (USA) Many American victories Expansion into California

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Ends the Mexican-American War! Rio Grande is the new border US gains SIGNIFICANT TERRITORY – Called the Mexican Cession (See map) Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, (parts of Colorado and Wyoming) 1853 – Gadsden Purchase – completes border What problems could result from this expansion? What will happen with slavery? VIDEO

ACTIVITY: Should we have declared war on Mexico? With the person next to you, review your notes from today’s lesson and answer the question: Would you have supported the controversial war with Mexico? Then, with your partner create a two column chart listing the reasons FOR or AGAINST going to war with Mexico. Try to keep the reasons in the context of the times in terms of how Americans would have felt in the 1840’s. Discuss what we have just reviewed in the lesson. FINISH FOR HOMEWORK IF NOT DONE IN CLASS 